Tire-armor.



H. A. GAMBLE.

TIRBARMOR. APPLICATION FILED @11.28, 1909.

Patented Aug. 9

' SHEET 1.'

2 SHEETS- Sirven/97,

H- A. GAMBLE.

TIRE ARMQR. APPLICATION I ILED JAN.2B, 1909.

'Patented Aug. 9,1910.

WHS/weeg@ 4segments adapted t s aceleran@ ferritin. I

HENRY ARTHUR GAMBLE, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNDR ONE-FOURTH T JOHN HAROLD MURCH, JR., OF SAN.. FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

v TIRE-ARMOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patenten .aaa-e, aero.

Application filed'Jl'anuaryr 2S, 1909. Serial No. 474,680.

lowing is a specification.

My invention relates to tl'exiblefarmor for pneumatic tires,I and particularly to armorwhich is composed of a plurality of metallic to be attached to the tire j and to .protect vthe samefroin injury.

. My invention consists broadly in the use of a plurality of armored segments, referably `of metal, held together by a l exible `connect-ion common to all'segments, each 'segment making a flexible jointwith the these joints between next adjacent segments,

the segments being so protected as largely to prevent the introductionof mud4 or stones between the segments.

lThe. invention also consists in thev use with armor of the character described of a vliexible endless cable which holds the 4segments` together, and in thisconnection the inventionl consists in the combination with a treadshoe and flexible connection referred to, of clamping plates forming housings receiving the cables, these housings being co1"- rugated to prevent any creeping movements 4of the segments upon the cables.

`In additioint'lie invention further consists in providing a tirecontacting block of yield! ing material, such asrubber, on the inside of each of the segments, the yielding nature of this block in connection with the yielding of the seg# in constructionsof this character.

The 4object of my invention is to providev jan armor which jwill"perfectly protect a pneumatic tire, which will not be detachable from-the tire so' long as it is in an inflated' condition, but which may be readily ,deff

tached'when the tire isdefiated, and, fuji?.

ther to .provide a "'tire'a-rmor formed-with,

segments so connected to each. other 4that.

each segment is. to acer-tain extent independ-V ently movable and may change its angular., which" relation to the adjacent segment; in air is allowed to enter between ,the;.s`e,

' ments,`and to 'contact with the tire, thus prc-l l fas the wheel turns. ,Y

In the drawings, Figure ll is a side eleva 60 .View of the trea servingti life of the pneumatic tire; in

a which the `segments overlap so that mud,'.

dirt,-andstones may not be forced up' into 5,5

.the space between the segments, and in which the metallic portions of the segments do' not contact with each other and clash tion ofia portion of va pneumatic tire witlrv .mfy improved armor applied thereto; two

0 the se ents of the armor being shown in section; ig.'2 a transverse section on the line 2-2 of Fig.

.tive view of the tire contacting block; Fig.

`5 isa pers ective view of the upper clamp- 1: ing plate;` ig. 6 is a perspective view of the lower clamping plate;Fig.-7 is a perspective 70 view of theplate carrying the rubber tread studs; and Fig..8 is a perspective view of the tread shoe plate.'

In the drawings, 2 denotes a rim of any ordinary construction, and 3 ak pneumatic 75 tire thereon.

4 denotes a tread shoe having the up- ,wardly and outwardly curved ends 5, and

the oppositely beveled side edges 6. It will be seen from Fig. 1 that'these side edges on 80 each tread shoe 4f are substantially parallel to each other, f and that thus the beveled edge of one tread shoe overlaps the beveled v edge ofthe next adjacent tread shoe,'though the `tread shoes do not contact, The outer 85 surface of thetread shoe is preferably corrugated as at 7, or otherwise formed so as to take hold ofthe road. The interior of the shoe is provided with the inwardly projectingstuds 8, screw-threaded for the re- 9.0

ceptipn of nuts, as willtbe later described. The inside face ofthe tread sloe is recessed as at ..9,fthe-l recess preferably having theV Vgeneral fform of a diamond. Openings, ,10,

extend-from the face ofthis recess to the exterior: of the shoe, these openings in thedrawing, being shown as four in number,

and theyare adapted to receive four plugs Jor studs, 12 of rubber, preferably projecting from, abacking 11 of'rubbeig'which is adapt 100 ed ,tobe received within the recess 9. AsV shown in Fig..1 these Studs 12 are slightly.m longer than the thickness of the tread shoe and project through the `saine so as to a'ord l; Fig. 3 is an external 65 plate; Fig. 4 is a perspeca meansA whereby the tread shoe will takefirm hold of the ground, and yet have-yielding contact therewith.

IVhiley I have shown four openings, 10, each having a quadrilateral shape, I do not wish to be limited in this regard, nor to the arrangement of these openings, nor to the diamond shape of the recess 9.

In order to hold the studs '.12 in place and provide them with' a rigid vbacking and, at the same time, for the engagement of the segmentconnecting cables, I provide the plate 14, adapted to rest within the straight portion of the shoe 4 and having the upwardly inclined end portions 15 corresponding to the end portions 5, but extending considerably above t-hese end portions and partially embracing the tire 3, as shown in Fig. 2. The plate 14 is provided with four stud openings, 1G, through which the studs 8 pass. One edge of the plate 14 is formed with the upwardly projectmg. flange 17,

- having at its upper end the inwardly turned formed all in one piece. These cable housl ings are preferably corrugated with s iral ribs so as to conform to the contour of the attaching cables. vThe end portions 15 are each provided with the inwardly projecting side flanges, 21, and, at their outer ends with a bead, 22, these flanges, 21, and the beads 22 act-ing to hold in place a tire-contacting block, of yielding material, to be later described.

The housings, 20, are adapted to receive parallel cables, 23, of wire rope, the ends of these cables being spliced so as to form an endless cable on each side of the tire as shown in Fig. 2.

The segments are held in position upon the cables by a clamping plate 24, shown in Fig. 5. This consists of a plate of the same size as the plate 14, and having the stud openings 25 formed therethrough for theA passage of the studs 8. The plate is formed at itsv opposite ends with the semi-circular housings, 2G, of the same character as the housings, 20, but reversedtherefrom, of course. These housings are also spirally corrugated to conform to the surface of the cable. The plate 14, as stated hereinbefore, is formed at one edge with the upwardlyprojecting flange, 17, and the inwardly projecting teeth, 18, and the clamp plate24 has also an upwardly-projecting flange 27 having the teeth 28, this flange, with its teeth, being on the side opposite the flange, 17, and the teeth, 1S, when the plate 24 is in position upon the plate '14, the teeth being provided for the purpose of gripping the side edges of a tire-.contacting yielding block, 30, shown in Fiof- 4.

In assembling the segments upon the cable, 23,'the plates 11` are first inserted each into its recess, 9, with the plugs 12 extending through the openings, 10. The plate 14 is then placed upon the interior face of the tread plate with the studs'8 projecting therethrough. The plates are then put in engagement with the cables, 23, bso that the cables shall lit within the channels formed by the corrugated housings, 20. The clamp plate 24 is then placed upon the inner face of the plate 14, the studs S projecting therethrough and the housings, 26, closing down on the cables contained within the housings, 20, and thus completing the housings 20 and entirely inclosing the cable. Nuts 29, as shown in Fig. 2 are then placed upon .the studs S and screwed downuntil the. plates 14 and 24 are clamped securely against the inside of the shoe and until the plate 24 is clamped against the plate 14, thus rigidly holding the segment in its place upon the/ cable 23.

' The block 30 shown in Fig. 4 is of yielding materialand preferably rubber. It is cut away on its under face as at 31 to form recesses to accommodate the nuts 29, and is also transversely cut away' as at 32, to `fit over the outer faces of the housings, 26. The-block 30-is further provided 'with the opposed outwardly and. upwardly curved ends 33 of a Width adapted to be received between the flanges 21, the ends of the wings 3 3 contactingfwith the beads 22. The inwardly-turned teeth 2S and 18 engage with the side ed es of the block 30 and hold the block rigid y in position. The contact of the block 30 with the yielding rubber 'face of the pneumatic tire createssuch frictional engagement between the two, that the segments as a whole, will. not creep upon the tire, while, of course, the clamping action between the plates 14 and 24 prevents any longitudinal movement of the segments upon the cables, 23.

In order to put the armor in place upon the tire, the tire is deflated, whereupon .it may be readily inserted within the circle of armor segments, and thus by infiating the tire, it w1ll be eX anded against said circle of segments, and t e segments be held firmly engaged therewith.

In order to detach the armor, it is only necessary to deflate the tire, and in order to detach any one of the segments itis only necessary to remove the block 30, whichmay be done with comparative ease, andY thm 'm occase plate 14 and the plates 5 to be slipped from engagement with the housing and to be entirely removed. By this means the rubber plugs 12,'-with their backing l1, may be easily replaced or re aired 'at any time.

The advantages el my invention are as follows: Iprovide a tire armor comprising a series of metallic segments, which, while exibly engaged with each other so that the armor may conform to the tire and to inequalities in the road, yet provides a protection which entirely prevents puncture, which takes off wear from the pneumatic tire and which also provides tor -a ventilation of the pneumatic tire. Because of the, block 30, the metal of the armor 'is Prevented from contacting directly with .the

pneumatic tire, and a frictional engagementr` 1s created which prevents all creeping. In

vaddition to this function of the, rubber block, 30, it will bessen that the iiexible yielding material of which it is composed causes it to conform more closely to' the exterior configuration of the pneumatic tire than would be possible were the block not used and the 'metal of the shoe'itself contacted with the tire.

The cables whereby theisegments are held' together are suliiciently flexible, relatively cheap, very strong and require nolubrication, as would be the case were the connection made by means of links. l housings are corrugated to prevent slipping 'of the shoes on the cables which engage the'V corrugations. The rubber plugs 12 which project through the ltread shoe, receive all' jar, and under ordinary' circumstances slightly elevate the metallic plate above the road-bed, hence reducing the wear of this -metallic plate, rendering the contacts beytween the plate and the road'noiseless and giving a'tirm grip upon the road.

Attention is also called to the importance of the :tact that. the tread shoes 4 do not contact With each other, though they overlap,

and that the blocks 30 do not contact with each other, but'that the space between the blocks is` shielded by the flange .19., Thus air may pass between the shoes and between the inner faces of the segments and the pneumatic tire, thus also tending to disintegrate the material. By reason,- too, of the sepae ration of, the segments there is no .contact between the metallic' parts thereof. This is important, as it is conducive to quietness in running. If there were :contact the metallic The cable tire, a sheet metal connectin portions would strike each other every time the tire flexed and a constant clicking noise or clatter would result. This is the reason that many tire armors are of no prac-tical value.

` It will also be seen particularly from Fig.

2 that there is no contact between the metallic portions of the armor and the rubber tire, and that the tirel being held rigidly in the armor when running, 'will flex and reflex inwardly of the armoror above the upper edge A they might do had they a reverse inclination I',

^ relatively to the direction of the wheels ro.-

.tation. While, because of the small scale'of .the drawings, I have shown the outer faces of the se ments as flat, in practice they will be slight? ence ofthe wheel.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire lto secure by Letters-Patent,is: I

, l. In a'tire armor, the combination of a plurality of sections, with flexible endless l y curved from front vto rear to correspond to' the curvature of the circumferconnecting ,elementslholding the sections together lin coperative relation, each section consistinf of a tread plate, a Acompressible block un erthe tread plate formed with a convex inner face for bearing on the tire, a device .interposed between the blockv and tread.plateandseparately secured to both, and-means on; the device for receiving the said endless elements.

2. In a tire armor, .the combination of a tread plate, a compressible block disposed under the plate and shaped to `fit the oulm face of a tire, a device interposed between the -plate and block, bolts for securing the' plate to the device,'and memberston the device for securing the block thereto, said device serving as a common connection between the block and plate. 4

3. In a tire armor, the combination of a tread plate, a block disposed under the same and shaped to bear on the 'outer face of the element betweenthe block and plate, sai' element hav-` ing integral members gripping into.v the block, and fastenings for securing the plate to the said element. 4. In a tire armor com osed of sections, each section consisting otpa treadl plate, a block disposed under the tread plate and shaped to lit the outer face of a tire, a con necting deviceto which the plateaud block are separately fastened, and flexible elements connected solely with the said device for sccuring vadjacent sections of the; armor together, said device serving to secure the block and plate in fixed relation to each other and for fastening them to the flexible elements.

5. In ay tire armor composed of a plurality. of' sections, each section consisting of' a tread plate, a cushioning block under the same, a connecting devicedisposed between the plate and block, flexible elements extending between the block and plate for connecting adjacent sections of the armor together, means on the device for connecting the same with the elements, and separate means for securing-the plate and block to the connecting device.

G. ln a tire armor, the combination of a tread plate, a cushion block disposed under the same and shaped to fit the outer face of a tire, flexible elements passing between the block and plate, a connecting device composed of two parts having portions clamped to the flexible elements', means on the device for gripping the block, and fastenings for securing the plate to the connecting device and for holding the parts of the latter clamped to the elements.

7. A flexible armor for pneumatic tires comprising a series of independent segments shaped to conform to the contour of' the tire to be embraced thereby, parallel channels termed in opposite portions of' the segments, endless parallel cables of twisted wire carried in said channels, locking plates detach-i ably Iconnected to the segments and having, portions fitting over said channels and the contained cable, said channels beine spirally corrugated to conform to the conzdguration of the. cables and prevent relative creeping letweenlthe cables and segments.

8. A-flexible armor for pneumatic tires comprising a series of independent segments shaped to coliform to the contour of the tire to be embraced thereby, said segments having spirally corrugated parallel channels formed therein, in combination with endless bands of intertwisted spirallyV arranged wires .litting in the Vcorrugations of the channels for holding the. segments circumferentially.

9. A flexible armor for pneumatic tires composed of sections each section consisting of a tread segment formed with parallel channels, a device extending over the segment and having pressed-out channel portions arranged to seat in the channels ofthe lsegment, endless flexibler, connections disposed parallel and passing through the channeled portions of th'e said device, and means for clamping the device and segment together and to the said connections for preventing slipping of the segment thereon.

10. In a tire armor,kthe combination of a tread, plate, a cushion block disposed under the same and shaped to fit a tire, a device disposed between the plate and block for securing the same together and composed of two parts having complementary channels,

flexible elements passing through the channels, and` fastenings for securing the plate to the device and for clamping the parts of the latter to the elements.

11. ln a tire armor, the combination of an outer tread member, an inner cushion block, a pair of plates interposed between the block and member and'having registering channels and registering openings adjacent the channels, flexible elements passing through the channels, and fastenings passing through the said openings for securmg the member to the plates and for clamping the' latter to the flexible elements.

12. In a tire armor, the combination of an outer tread member, an inner cushion block a pair of plates interposed between the b ock and member and having registering channels and registering openings adjacent the channels, flexible elements passing through the channels, fastenings passing through the said openings for securing the member to the plates and for clamping the latter to the flexible elements, and members onV the plates embedded in 4opposite sides of the block for securing the latter in place.

13. In a tire armor, the combination of a tread member, a pair of plates arranged under the same and having opposed channels, flexible elements passing through the channels, fastening devices for securing the plates together and to the tread member and for clamping the plates to the elements, a cushion block arranged on the plates and engaging the said fastenings for preventing loosening thereof, and hook-shaped flanges 'on the plates embedded in the block to retain the same in place.

14. The combination with tread plate i for pneumatic tire armor having openings from its inside face to its tread face and provided with inwardly projecting screwthreaded studs on its inner face, of a yielding plate having studs projecting outwardly through the openings in the tread plate, and a plate locked over the yielding plate and the inner 'face of' the tread plate havingl openings through which the screw threaded studs project, and nut-s on the studs hold., ing said'locking plate firmly engaged with the inner face of the tread plate.

15. In a tire armor, the combinationof a tread member, a cushion bloclc under the same, a pair of plates interposed between the block and member and one having channels vat its ends andthe other at points in-frr I termediate its ends to register with the firstmentioned channels, lexible elements pass ing through the channels, means for clamp- .v ing the plates together for gripping the ele- "ments, and devices on the, plates for engaging the block. A

16. ln` :i tire armor, the combination of a tread member having a relatively flat een` tral port-ion and llaterally bent ends, a block disposed under the inember and shaped to' eeaass fit a tire, a plate bearing on the inner face of the member and having a central portion and :ingiilarly-disposed end portions rconnected with the central portion by channels, the edges of the plate being formed into flanges for engaging the sides of the block, a second plate having its ends formed into channels disposed opposite the channels of the first plate, flexible elements passing through the channels, and fastenings for clamping the plates to the elements and securing the said member to the plates.

1T. In a tire armor, the combination of a cushsioning block, a sheet metal structure disposedover the outer face of the block and having spaced parallel channels and side and end flanges for engaging the sides and ends of the block, the portions of the side flanges between the channels being embedded in the block, and flexibleelements passing through the channels.

18. In a tire armor, the combinationof a cushioning block shaped to fit the outer face of a tire, a supporting structure for the block consisting of a central section and angularly disposed end sections, said end sections having 'sideJ and end flanges for engagi'ng. the terminal portions ofthe block, said central portion having means forl gripping the centralNportion of the block, and a tread member secured to thesai'd stru-cture. I

plate 19. A segmental shoe for pneumatic tire armor comprising aitread' late4 having` upwardly extending ends, a p ate located 'upon the inner face of said tread plate having upwardly-extending ends projecting on either side beyond the. ends of the tread and having inwardly-projecting flanges,and a'block of yielding material tio-extensive with the second plate and rei tained lWithin said flanges withfits entire inner face in contact with the/outer face ofi' a tire. i

20. A segmental shoe for pneumatic tires l, comprising a tread plate having upwardlytending ends of said second-named plateV 'having a concaved face adapted to contact with a tire.

21. A flexible armor for pneumatic tires comprising av series of' independent segmentss each segment consisting of a tread plate havin upwardly and outwardly. ex-

^ .tending 'en s and provided with inwardly extending sinds on the inner face of the .tread plate, a locking-,plate formed with parallel channels semi-circular in cross section, a complementary locking plate located on the inner-face of the first-named locking plate, held inl place by said studs and also having channels semi-circular` in cross section and alini'ng with the first-named channels, a block of yielding material retained between the upwardly-extending ends of the locking plate and having a concaved inner surface to engage withv a tire, and parallel endless. cables threaded through the channels of each of the segments and locked between the two locking plates thereof.

22. A flexible armor for pneumatic tires, each Vcomprising a series of independent segments flexibly connected to each other, each segment consisting of a tread plate chaivfing outwardly and upwardly-turned ends, alocking-platemounted on the inner face of each of the tread plates and having outwardly and upwardly-projecting ends, said locking lplate beingv provided with flanges having inwardly projecting teeth, in combination with a block of yielding material supported on said locking plate and engaged by the teeth, said block having a concaved inner face contact-ing with thepneumatic tire. y

23.. A flexible armor for pneumatic tires, the saine comprising a series of independent segments flexibly connecte/dto each other, each ysegment consisting of a vtread plate,

-studs projecting from the inner surface -of the tread 'plate and complementary locking plates retained on the inner face of thp tread plate ov said studs, said locking plates having flanges on their edges provided with inwalilly-projecting teeth, and oneV of said plates being-.formed with outwardly-extending end portions having inwardly-extending flanges, in combination with a block of yielding material engaged by said teeth and h ld between the flanges of the end portions, said block having a concaved-inner face adapted to contact with a tire.

24. A flexible armor for pneumatic tires 'comprising a series of independent segments, each segment including a tread plate having upwardly-extending flanges and studs 'projecting from the inner face of the plate, a locking plate having upwardly-projecting flanges and openings through which said studs pass, said locking plate having one edge flange thereof formed with inwardly-projecting teeth, an additional locking'llate provided with openings for they passage of the studs and vadapted to be retained on the inner face 4of the first-named 125 locking plate and having on its edfe an up-l wardly projecting flange' providedb with inwardly-projecting teeth, parallel flexible endless cables threaded through said locking plates and engaged thereby to hold the segments in position, nuts engaging the studs on the inner face of the innermost locklng plate, and a block of yielding resilient material having recesses for the accommodation of said nuts and located between the flanges of the locking plates and engaged by the teeth thereof, said block having an internally concaved face adapted to contact with the convex face of a tire.

25. In a tire narmor, a cushioning block having a concave under side to iit `transversely over the tire, the outer face ot the block having transverse parallel channels and recesses adjacent the channels.

26. In a tire armor, a tread member coinpi'ising a plate having an approximately flat central portion and laterally turned ends, said central portion being recessed in its inner face and having apertures extending through `the recessed portion, and integral studs extending inwardly from the central portion, the longitudinal edges of the plate being oppositely beveled in substantially parallel planes.

27. A flexible armor for pneumatic tires comprisingI a series of independent segments, each segment including a tread plate having its opposite side edges beveled in parallel planes, a two-part locking plate bolted to the interior of the tread plate and lhaving extended end portions adapted to partially embrace a tire, endless parallel flexible connections engaged between the two parts yot the locking plate, one of said portions of the locking plate being provided With a projecting lange extending. over the edge ot' the next succeeding tread plate and covering the space therebetween, and a block carried by said locking plate having its inner surface concaved to conform to a pneumatic i tire.

' 28. In a tire armor, the combination of a plurality of sections and flexible elements'` non-contacting relation with the tread platesv of adjacent sections and for preventing slipping of the segment on the elements.

In testimony, that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto atlixed my signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

HENRY ARTHUR GAMBLE.

Witnesses lV. B. FLOYD, EUGENE WEET. 

